Improvement in blacking apparatus and bootjack combined



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. MCMASTER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,809, dated September 12, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. MCMASTER, of Rochester, in the county of h/Ionroe and State of New York, have invented certain Improved Combined Blacking-Oase and Bootjaek, of which the following' is a specification:

My invention relates mainly to the combination, in the same device, of a case for boot-blacking apparatus and a folding bootjack, the parts being convenient and occupying but little space.

In the drawing, Figure l is a plan view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

A is a case of sheet-iron or similar material, having its ends open, and also one side, except the vertical strips a, Figs. 1 and 3, at each end. B is a plate hinged to one edge of the case so as to cover the open side of the latter when folded down, as shown in Fig. 3, and provided upon one face with projecting iianges b for the foot-rests. E is a plate having a recess or notch, as shown in Fig. 2, and by dotted lines in Fig. 1, to receive and clutch the boot-heel, and it is hinged at the inner extremity to the end of the ease A, forming, when folded down, a partial cover for that end. A projecting shoulder, g, which meets the upper edge of the case A, prevents it from being drawn above a horizontal line when in use. D is the blacking-box, which is supported upon bent arms d d. These arms are pivoted at their inner end upon a vertical spindle, c, one bearing upon it at the lower and one at the upper end, as shown in Fig. 2. The case A is preferably stiifened at the ends by strips fof band-iron, riveted to the case internally, one of which may receive the extremities of the spindle c, and also the pivots of the bootdrawer E. The blaeking-box D is attached to the arms d in any convenient manner, to admit of its being readily removed and replaced, and is swung into the case when not in use, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l, before the plate B is shut down. A catch, O, is provided near the outer end of the arms, which springs over the corner of the case and retains the box in a position to use the blacking therefrom. The footrests b are formed upon that face ofthe plate B lying' inward when the latter is folded down: but when reversed upon the upper side of the case, as shown in Fig. 1, they project upward.

Space is provided in the case for the brush o, which may be inserted at the rear end or at the side before the cover B is closed down. Thus, for blacking boots it is only necessary to lift the plate B, draw out the brush, and swing the arms d around, exposing the blackin g. For withdrawing the boots the plate E is turned upward and used without disturbing the other parts of the apparatus.

My invention is very convenient for the use of travelers and others, as it occupies but little space, while the necessary parts are convenient and effective, and may be kept entirely out of contact with other articles packed with it in a portmanteau or trunk.

I claim- As an improved article of manufactiue, the apparatus herein described, consistingof thefolding bootjack E, hinged foot-rest plate B, and blaeking-box support al d, all arranged within and upon the case A, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

J. M. MCMASTER.

Witnesses:

F. H. CLEMENT, A. H. SARGENT. 

